Sports Direct to appoint workers' representative to board

Sports Direct said it was appointing a workers' representative to its board following criticism of labour conditions at the high street retail chain.

The company on Thursday confirmed that applications for the post had opened for those who were "directly engaged" workers subject to conditions such as the duration of employment "and other criteria". After an assessment process, successful candidates will stand for election in which about 23,000 staff will be able to vote.

The move by the retailer comes after an investigation by the Guardian last July uncovered that workers on zero hour contracts were being paid less than the minimum wage at its Derby-based warehouse.

A damning parliamentary select committee report had compared the retailer’s employment practices and conditions to a “Victorian workhouse”.

The elected representative will be able to attend and speak at all scheduled meetings on behalf of Sports Direct staff. The first meeting with a representative present is expected to take place in the spring.

Sports Direct said the representative will serve a one year term with each division of the company providing a candidate on a rotational basis.

Chief executive Mike Ashley told employees in a letter that he believed "it is important that your voice is heard at the highest level in order to continue to make a positive difference".